Hello again everyone! Now that you've waited long enough let us return to 1602…
White Cliffs, Dover, England, 1602
Perseo, with his ability to communicate with horses, had secured some horses for his friends and himself, and onward they rode, faster and faster into the night. When a set of horse would grow tired Perseo would press them to continue until a replacement set could be acquired, and then the noble steeds would be set free. Although it took many exhausting hours the small band of fugitives finally made it to the beach along the White Cliffs of Dover.
"Finally, we've made it!" sighed Perseo as he collapsed to the sand in exhaustion as the first rays of dawn broke over the horizon.
"And now what do we do, swim all the way to France?" asked Niccolò sarcastically.
Suddenly there was a great churning of waves, and onto the surface breached three Spanish galleons, and a small dingy quickly worked its way to the beach.
"Say holla to the Niña, the Pinta, and the Santa María; they got Cristóbal Colón to the New World and they'll get us to France," explained Perseo.
"But there's only five of us, surely one boat would due," said Roberto.
"Sí, but we can use the other two as distraction so the Ingles don't follow us; speaking of which, I'm surprised we made it this far without being caught," said Annabeth.
The group's trip in the dingy was made slightly more difficult by the fact that Don Quixote insisted on bringing his less-than-gallant steed Rocinante along for the journey; although the addition of the aged horse made the dingy rock and constantly threaten to capsize, eventually the weary travelers made it to the deck of the Niña.
"Send the Pinta and the Santa María as distractions, the English will be none the wiser," said Annabeth as she collapsed to the deck in exhaustion.
"On it, and now my friends, in the words of El Hombre-Araña, with great power…comes great need to rest," said Perseo as he too collapsed in exhaustion.
"Good line my friend, must remember it for future use," said Niccolò.
Ω
Westminster Abby, London, England, 1602
"Alas fair Elizabeth, by my magic thou were made young again, and thy days were many and long to come, if not had thy life been cut short by Spanish hands," said Dr. Dumblethor as he finish his eulogy as the palm bearers placed the Queen in her custom made sarcophaguses within the hallowed halls of Westminster Abby.
Though Westminster Abby had long been abandoned as a house of worship, it had been persevered along with several other former churches both for posterity and historical value, but also to serve as a place of worship once England found a new faith. All members of the royal court and the nobility were in attendance, as well as a few of the common people; Benjamin Lord Tennyson sat next to Rachael and Kot-Niz in their place of honor amongst the members of the royal court.
"You seem most troubled Miss Dare, and not just because of our Queen's passing," said Benjamin.
"It's just…well I was sent here to negotiate with the Queen for more money for the Roanoke colony; father knew the Queen would take great interest in me, the first child born of Roanoke, and that this might help our cause, but now that the Queen is dead…"
"You mustn't fear so, I'm sure King James will be a good and just king, and a king who will be willing to hear your case out."
"Don't hold your breath, the bugger's a sot and as much a dimwit…well I won't go that far, not even the King is as dull as my manservant Baldrick," scoffed Lord Blackadder.
"Lord Blackadder! Do you wish to add anything to this eulogy!" barked Dr. Dumblethor.
"Oh nothing important, just some thoughts on things people say that they later come to regret. Sir Thomas More, for instance, must have been kicking himself as the flames grew higher for not saying 'I recant my Catholicism' sooner," said Blackadder with his usual cynicism.
"Actually Lord Blackadder, Sir Thomas More was beheaded for not recanting his Catholicism," Hermione corrected in her matter-of-fact tone.
"And perhaps you would prefer to keep your comments to yourself until the service has concluded!" hissed Lady McGonagall.
Begrudgingly, Lord Blackadder complied, but it soon became apparent that King James was the one to be contended with, for as soon as the service had reached its conclusion he rushed out of the Abby, all the while whooping and hollering all the way.
"Is there any particular reason his highness is so giddy?" asked Harry.
"Why laddie, with all these formalities out of the way we can finally get on with royal coronation!" laughed King James.
"Surely you will wait an appropriate time in order to mourn the Queen's passing."
"Ooh, tough luck laddie, I'm afraid that Parliament said the coronation is to commence as soon as Lizzie's funeral is over. So get plenty of rest so that you'll be ready for the big day tomorrow!"
"Dr. Dumblethor…"
"I'm afraid he is in the right Harry, and there is not much we can do about it," sighed Dr. Dumblethor.
Ω
Later that night Rachael found herself visited by a strange dream; in the dream she found herself standing on what seemed to be a barren landscape, but when she looked up she saw what by all accounts appeared to be the Earth floating in the sky. As she was trying to process all this Rachael was greeted to the sight of Arthur the Watcher, who was joined by two other Watchers; one of the Watchers was a boy that seemed to be Arthur's age, but had sandy blonde hair, ghostly pale skin, gray eyes, and fangs that poked out from under his lips; the other was a girl with flowing blonde hair, dazzling blue eyes, and long pointy ears like Arthur.
"So you're saying without the presence of the old religion Richelieu, or at least an analogue to him, would never have come to power and Absolutism would never have been founded?" asked Arthur, as the three Watchers appeared to be in the middle of a conversation.
"Precisely, but then again with France embracing the demigods it is entirely possible that a new form of Absolutism will take hold, but being centered around the Olympian gods," said the other boy.
"Then again they may still rebel against it in time, as the French in the Prime World were devout in their faith, but were more than willing to rebel against Louis XVI despite the Divine Right aspect of his rule. So what about Oliver Cromwell, I suppose he could have come to power thru secular means…"
"Um guys, she's here," said the girl.
"Right! Greetings Miss Dare, my name is Arthur Drakoni, and these are my associates Nick Griffalco and Holly Hillis," said Arthur.
"W-where are we?" asked Rachael.
"In a sense the Moon, but in a broader sense the great Ethereal Plane, so really we're everywhere and everywhen simultaneously," said Nick.
"I don't understand."
"Oh don't mind him, he gets metaphysical in times of crisis," said Holly. "It's not so important where we are as what we're going to tell you, but if you must know, your mind is traveling while your body rest."
"You mean…astral projection?" asked Rachael.
"More or less," said Holly.
"For a bit more background we are Watchers, once a race not too dissimilar from your own we ascended to the Ethereal Plane after we progressed over many generations, but make no mistake, though gods we are not we are still a mighty and ancient race," said Arthur.
"So then why have you sent for me?" asked Rachael.
"Your world is in grave danger; that strange weather you have encounter in the New World was no coincidence, it is because…well I'm afraid you have to figure that bit out on your own, but Roberto, Kot-Niz, and the Doctor hold the answer you seek," said Nick.
"But if the fate of the world is at stake why not just tell me now?"
"It's not quite that simple; there are certain rules we Watchers are bound by, and we're kind of skirting the edges of those rules just by brining you here."
"Then is this about the vision I had, of how demigods and wizards must unite to close this…flume I believe it was called, and if they fail the world is doomed?" asked Rachael.
"More than just your world, all worlds shall perish if you fail to unite the demigods and wizards. So I would greatly suggest that you start by finding those Spaniards, who didn't kill the Queen by the way, and convince the court wizards to travel to Roanoke with them and you," said Holly.
"I will leave you now?" asked Rachael as her vision blurred.
"Yes, but perhaps will shall meet again soon," said Arthur as he and his fellow Watchers gave Rachael warm smile.
"One final question, why do your images shift so? Everything about you seems in constant flux," said Rachael.
"Well, these aren't exactly our true forms, but if we revealed that there's a good chance you'd go mad," replied Nick cryptically.
"Good luck, we believe in you!" called Holly, and with that Rachael found herself back in her bed in the house of one of the royal courtiers in Middlesex.
Ω
Middlesex, England, 1602
Rachael tried her best to dismiss the experience as merely a dream, but no, it was far too vivid, too fresh, too real to have been just a dream; as she got her bearings Rachael realized Kot-Niz was standing next to her bed looking quite concerned.
"Bad dream?" asked Kot-Niz.
"If only it were," sighed Rachael.
"What's the problem?"
"Well it'll probably sound silly, and I don't imagine you'd understand it much, but I was visited by these beings, they called themselves Watchers, and they said that I'm to unite the Spanish demigods and the English wizards on a great quest to our home in the New World, where they shall close something called a flume, and should I fail this world, and many others like it, will all perish."
This got Kot-Niz's attention almost instantly. "Talk to Dr. Dumblethor?"
"His is very wise, and perhaps he might help," said Rachael as she got out of bed.
The two New World girls made their way to Dr. Dumblethor's room and gave a knock on his door, which was quickly answered by Dr. Dumblethor himself with a warm smile.
"Good evening Miss Dare, do come in," beckoned Dr. Dumblethor.
Inside Dr. Dumblethor's room there were candles floating in the air, a book case filled with tomes on all manner of magical subjects (and atop which sat the fabled Sorting Hat), a perch on which sat a hansom phoenix, and several glass balls that seemed to contain moments in time. Seated at a small table were two boys, one of whom Rachael recognized as Benjamin Lord Tennyson, but the other whom she'd never seen before; this boy looked around Benjamin's age, had should length red hair, as was fashionable, features that resembled those of Ronald Weasley but seemed strangely more feminine, and whom was dressed in the cloths that also seemed like Ronald's, but even more worn-out that his were.
"I'm sure you remember Benjamin Lord Tennyson, and allow me to introduce you to Bob Weasley, an…er, relative of our dear Ronald," said Dr. Dumblethor.
"A pleasure to meet you Miss Dare!" said Bob, whose voice had an odd feminine quality to it.
"So, what brings you about at this hour of night?" asked Dr. Dumblethor.
As Rachael recounted her story Dr. Dumblethor grew increasingly unnerved, as it quite paralleled his own experience with the Watchers, and by the time Rachael had completely finished Dr. Dumblethor was barely able to clutch his walking stick.
"I know it sounds fantastic, but I swear it to be true," concluded Rachael.
"I believe you Miss Dare, for I too have been visited by the Watchers!" revealed Dr. Dumblethor.
"But what can we do now? Everyone thinks the Spaniards killed Queen Elizabeth, and they've probably made it to France by now, and who knows how soon they'll be in Spain again," said Rachael.
"What do you mean in France? Surely they'd head to Spain immediately?" asked Bob.
"I…I don't know, it just…came to me."
"Perhaps this is your powers of prophesy manifesting, perhaps the good Spymaster Bond can shed some light onto this mystery; alas, we ought wake Mr. Potter and company, and have them hear this new information," said Dr. Dumblethor.
The group made their way to the room Harry and Ronald were sharing, after their knocks on the door were not answer the group made their way inside, where they found Harry and Ronald asleep. Dr. Dumblethor gently nudged Harry with his walking stick, and suddenly Harry head rolled off the bed; everyone jumped back in fright, but upon closer inspection Harry's head proved to be a Quaffle ball with a note attached to it.
"Oh my! Harry, Ronald, and Hermione have left to go after the Spaniards!" exclaimed Dr. Dumblethor.
"What!" shouted everyone else.
"It says here that Spymaster Bond got an anonymous tip that the Spaniards were going to France and sending out decoy ships to throw pursuers off their trail, and Bond's enlisted Harry and company to help him retrieve the Spaniards!"
"So then, it was my prophecy powers that predicted this?" asked Rachael.
"It would seem so, but now we must make for the docks and find a boat to France!" said Dr. Dumblethor.
"You mean Kot-Niz and I as well?" asked Rachael.
"Why yes dear girl, if not for you we'd never have found out about this great quest, and clearly you have quite the role to play in all this," said Dr. Dumblethor with a twinkle in his eye.
Ω
Thames Dockside, London, England, 1602
As the group searched the dockside for a ship bound for France they came across Lord Blackadder and his manservant Baldrick standing with a sign that read "Get It Here".
"I don't suppose any of you chaps are here to get it," said Lord Blackadder, even more bitterly than usual.
"Here to get what exactly?" asked Rachael; when Bob whispered to Rachael what Lord Blackadder meant by "getting it" Rachael turned almost as red as her hair. "Why Lord Blackadder! If you wish to go into that line of work you ought to consider moving to Dutch Republic, from what I hear Amsterdam has quite a market for that sort of thing."
"I'm not in this for the pleasure Miss Dare; I'm in it only so I can earn enough money to move out of King James's company, or failing that sell Baldrick into slavery."
"Don't worry Lord B, I've come up with a book that'll make us millions; it's a book full of all the words in the world, I call it Big Book Full of Lots of Words. I'll even read an excerpt; C: blue wobbly thing mermaids live in," said Baldrick.
"Baldrick if there's one thing I know it's that such a load of rubbish will never sell, especially if you've included the word aardvark!" scoffed Lord Blackadder.
"I don't know, seems like it could sell if it were cleaned up a bit," mussed Dr. Dumblethor.
"I'll have him cleaned and ready for purchase tomorrow!" said Lord Blackadder eagerly.
"I was talking about the book Edmund."
"I've got another that might sell, and I'll read it to you. Once upon a time there was a little sausage named Baldrick, and he lived happily ever after. The end," said Baldrick; at this Lord Blackadder hit Baldrick on the head with his sign.
Dr. Dumblethor let out a long sigh. "Edmund in all my years I have never met a greater ass than you, but you seem desperate so if you wish I will allow you and Baldrick to accompany us on our journey to France and eventually Roanoke."
"If it gets me away from James, and possibly to a life of luxury, then I'll take it," said Lord Blackadder.
Not long after that an only sea captain walked over to the group and smiled when he saw Dr. Dumblethor.
"Albus, it's been a while."
"Captain Robert Owe-much, still the adventurer I see. Tell me have you discover any new islands lately?"
"Done some scouting around Newfoundland up in Canada, getting a bit more difficult now that the French are getting colonies of their own up there, and I strive to go south, perhaps around Roanoke and there about. But enough of that, what need have you and your comrades for my services?"
"We need a ship to France to track down some students of mine, some Spaniards, and one Spymaster Bond."
"Well, somebody's got their work cut out for themselves, but you'll have to wait till the tide comes in," said Captain Robert Owe-much.
"Perhaps an alternative, and just remember, no matter what happens it is still me," said Dr. Dumblethor.
Before anyone had a chance to object Dr. Dumblethor struck his walking cane against the ground, and there was a bright flash of light and a loud clap of thunder; when the light receded Dr. Dumblethor was gone, and in his place stood a muscular Norseman with flowing blonde hair, the clothing of a Viking, a flowing cape, a winged helmet, and in his hand was a large hammer.
"Thor of thunder tis I. Swiftly swinging thru the sky. Let lurch the ship me, and to France we shall be."
So we finally reveal the meaning of Dr. Dumblethor's name. To all you Blackadder fans, yes I realize the lines came from Blackadder the Third, but you have to admit they were good lines. So add Bob to your list of mysteries good readers, but if you'll note his hair color and feminine nature (and perhaps know a bit of Blackadder's running gags) you should guess his true identity. Until next time noble readers, do leave a review =)